Nick Shea, a captain for the Boston College club men’s lacrosse team, was quick and to the point in recalling last year’s season-ending defeat, the finale of a forgettable 2012 season.

“We lost to UNH 13-5, I think,” Shea said. “[It was a] rough game. But the team is motivated and optimistic about the present, the weeks ahead.”

He could have talked about their poor offensive showing. The Eagles did not score in the double digits for the sixth time in an 18-game season.

He could have said that their strong defensive unit, bolstered by his own 60% save percentage, fell flat against an inferior University of New Hampshire squad.

Or, he could have dwelled on what was perhaps the biggest letdown: BC had not lost to UNH since 2006, the year that the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association was formed.

But now it is onward and upward. Last year’s disappointments are in the past. Armed with more talent and new leadership, the 2013 team is poised to make a run at greatness, and its members are eager to fill in the void left by last year’s shortcomings.

“We’ve had a really strong showing in preseason from both returners and new guys,” Shea said. “We have really revamped our offense and have a good team chemistry, which should help us win a lot down the road.”

Nick Shea makes a diving save in the season opener on Sunday (photo credit: Carl Kafka)

Led by a series of skilled offensive players like Robert Van Fossan, who tallied 21 goals and seven assists last year, the Eagles should rack up points against even the toughest opponents.

Captain John Lambrecht and Joe Volk are expected to put up significant numbers. Both players combined for 22 points last year.

Volk, a midfielder last year who converted to play attack, was named the Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year last year.

“He was so dominant even as a freshman at midfield,” Lambrecht said of Volk. “He has great field vision and dodging abilities that create a lot of chances.”

While Volk’s instincts are invaluable, Lambrecht’s stature does not go unnoticed. At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Lambrecht can power his way through defenders and establish a strong presence in the crease for the Eagles.

Midfielders Peter Kaloostian and Will Forsyth add another dimension to the Eagles’ potent offense, and freshmen Aidan Balboni and Quinn Ward, who came from storied high school programs, round out the attack.

Having a stable of high-scoring offensive players naturally fosters high expectations, and new head coach Kevin Orcutt is committed to not letting their talent go to waste.

Orcutt has created a philosophy and culture worthy of a championship-caliber team. Because of this, BC has adopted a new goal: to be the best club lacrosse team in the nation.

“It is essential we stay focused and don’t get complacent,” Lambrecht said. “I think this is where Coach Orcutt will really help out our team. Those two problems were our team’s Achilles’ heel last year. Orcutt has instilled a new level of intensity throughout the team, and I think that will carry out through the rest of the season.”

Added Shea: “Kevin has made a huge impression on the team so far. He’s done an amazing job keeping the team focused and close knit.”

“Close knit” and “focused” are precisely what the Eagles must be if they are to find success in a competitive PCLL. The University of Connecticut, Northeastern University, and SUNY-Buffalo—all teams in the PCLL that play BC yearly— are ranked in the InsideLacrosse.com Top 25 poll.

The BC defense, anchored by Shea and featuring defenders Chris Knoth and Gavin Tisdale, will look to stymie the offensive attacks brought by PCLL opponents and, potentially, in the MCLA championships.

Whatever side of the dynamic BC lacrosse team ends up coming in the clutch—offense or defense—the Eagles will be looking past last season, hoping to surge past last year’s failures.

By Teddy Kolva

Update: This past weekend, the team went undefeated in their opening series in Miami, Florida. Defeating then No. 13 Florida State 14-13 off a Lambrecht game-winner in overtime, the Eagles went on to crush Miami to start the 2013 campaign 2-0.